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From the first moment I woke in the cage to the collared woman who was hauled away for speaking to me, it all comes rushing back, and it’s making me physically ill. I pitch forward and the contents of my stomach come up my throat and spill out at my feet. My legs buckle and I fall to my knees in the center of the hallway. My hands hit the ground so that I’m on all fours, as my body convulses and more bile spills from my mouth.
“Girls.” I just barely register Maggie’s voice. “This way.”
The swishing of dresses passing is the only indication that the girls head to Maggie. I can’t focus. The room is spinning. At some point Maggie’s there beside me, mouth pressed to my earlobe.
“Marina, listen to me. I’m here. You’re not alone.” Maggie’s voice is firm and unyielding. “Don’t let this place hold so much power over you. You’re stronger than this. We have to go.”
I shake my head, unable to speak. I’m afraid I’m going to throw up again.
“Look at me,” she demands, grabbing my cheeks and pulling my head up. “Pull yourself together. We have to help these girls.”
The mention of helping the girls helps to pull me out of my panic attack. I breathe in and out several times, trying to regulate my breathing and control the attack. As I feel myself coming back to the here and now, Maggie nods. “Good. You ready?”
I inhale. “Did you find an exit?”
“Yes. It’s up ahead. Addy is helping to get the girls to safety.”
“That’s good. Okay. You go ahead. I’ll be there in one minute.”
She purses her lips like she’s getting ready to argue but thinks better of it. “Just hurry, Marina.” She turns to leave before looking back over her shoulder. “Up ahead at the fork, take a left and the door is at the end of that hall.”
I nod. “I’ll be there.”
She runs off, leaving me in the middle of the hallway alone. I watch her until she’s out of sight, all the while continuing to work on my breathing. When I feel in control, I shake off the lingering anxiety and go to stand.
“Going somewhere?” The disembodied voice slithers over my body, setting my teeth on edge. A familiar vampire steps in front of me from out of nowhere. My eyes narrow as I try to recall how I know him. Then it hits me.
Sarcos.
“Well, look what we have here. Come back for more, did ya?” the vile vampire sneers. The memory of him draining the girl in the cell next to me comes rushing back again, and I have to stop myself from crying out. I won’t show him fear. He feeds off it.
I fall back on my ass, scooting backward to attempt to get away from him.
“I’ll take it from here, Sarcos,” an older, dark-haired man says, stepping into my line of vision. “I don’t see what all the fuss is about,” he says, circling me like a lion does its prey. “You’re a plain human. Pretty enough, but nothing special.” I bristle at his remarks. “A shame, really.”
“Who are you?” My voice pitches.
He snickers. “Julian hasn’t told you about me?” He rubs his chin. “Interesting.”
“Why would he?” I snarl. “You’re nobody to him.”
My shaking hands belie my words. I don’t know who this person is, other than that he’s definitely a vampire. A scary one at that. His beady eyes and greasy hair give him a slimy appearance.
“I’m a count,” he grinds through his teeth. “Count Byron. And I’ll be the Crown soon enough.”
Marina!Julian’s voice bellows, and my head swivels trying to locate him before I realize I’m hearing him in my head through our connection.
I concentrate on that connection and send out an SOS.
Count Byron. I’m in trouble. Help!
Chapter Thirty
Julian
“He’s over there, Julian,” Law yells, pointing toward the corner before running off in his direction. Marcellus stands on the base of the stairs leading up to the raised platform. When he sees Law heading his way, he takes off through a side door hidden by props on the stage. Marina is moving the last of the girls off the stage and through a back hallway in the opposite direction.
As much as I want to follow the girls to ensure they’re safe, I have to go after Marcellus. Law will need my help to bring him down. I’m running toward the door Law just slipped through but stop short when I see Ratilda has Katina in a chokehold and is preparing to behead her.
